For the Sake of Peace: A Buddhist Perspective for the 21st Century [Hardcover]

Daisaku Ikeda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2001

Based on 20 years of university lectures and proposals to the United Nations, this book addresses the issue of peace from the Buddhist perspective of compassion, interconnectedness of all life, and absolute respect for human life. Informed by the teachings of Nichiren, the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist teacher and reformer, this book considers peace from various angles, including economics, the environment, disarmament, religion, and culture. Asserting that nothing is more precious than peace, this guide affirms that through self-mastery, dialogue, and belief in the sovereignty of the people, the world may come to know a peaceful existence.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daisaku Ikeda is the author of more than 60 books including Buddhism Day by Day and The Way of Youth. He is the president of Soka Gakkai International Buddhist renewal movement and has received the United Nations Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award, and the International Tolerance Award of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Middleway Press (2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967469724
• ISBN-13: 978-0967469720
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,212,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daisaku Ikeda is the president of the Soka Gakkai International and the founder of the Soka University of America. He is the author of For the Sake of Peace, Unlocking the Mysteries, and The Way of Youth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing change from the usual esoteric Buddhist fare, August 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Sake of Peace: A Buddhist Perspective for the 21st Century (Hardcover)

This excellent and well informed book will be of great interest to anyone interested in the historic and philosophic dynamics of our changing world. Ikeda is a wonderful writer whose understanding of Buddhism, Christianity and other world religions helps us to see current world conditions more clearly. His ability to incorporate the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren into a discussion of world history and contemporary discourse will be welcomed by those who have felt confused by the esoteric approach of other Buddhist writings. As an avid reader and writer, Ikeda has cultivated great skill in presenting complex intellectual ideas in a way that makes them relevant to the everyday lives of individuals. Addressing such approaches to history and culture as relativism, universalism, orientalism, concepts of time and war cultures he makes a convincing presentation of peace and global harmony as attainable goals. The structure of this book is clear and easy to reference, making it an excellent text for teachers and activists. For a reader who has found so much of contemporary Buddhist writings alienating and unrealistic this book is a refreshing and exciting addition to social dialogue on how to create a better world. Highly recommended.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastically recommended reading for peace activists, May 17, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Sake of Peace: A Buddhist Perspective for the 21st Century (Hardcover)

For The Sake Of Peace: Seven Paths To Global Harmony, A Buddhist Perspective is the result of more than 25 years of UN Peace prize recipient, spiritual leader, educator, and philosopher Daisaku Ikeda's proposals to the United Nations and lectures at universities around the world. With his vision for achieving peace in the new century based upon the life- affirming teachings of Nichiren (13th century Japanese Buddhist teacher and reformer) as well as great world thinkers and philosophers ranging from Confucius, Plato, and Aristotle, to Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Toynbee, Ikeda reveals the issue of peace from the Buddhist perspective of compassion, the interconnectedness of all life, and an absolute respect for human life. For The Sake Of Peace offers "seven paths" ranging from self-mastery and dialogue to global awareness and disarmament that if taken will show humanity the way to live happily together on our finite planet. For The Sake Of Peace is enthusiastically recommended reading for peace activists, students of Buddhist philosophy, and those who have followed and appreciated Daisaku Ikeda's work and thought for the past three decades.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What we need today, April 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Sake of Peace: Seven Paths to Global Harmony: A Buddhist Perspective (Paperback)

Daisaku Ikeda outlines steps towards a peaceful planet.

Quoting philosophers, historians, heroes, he sets out a guide to making peace possible. "If you want peace, prepare for peace."

In this time of war, war and more war, to know there are people actively working towards a peaceful planet and future is very encouraging. Ikeda explains how we each have to start with ourselves, our family, our community. Through dialogue, and a commitment to truly desire peace.

For those who believe we do not have to go to war to make a peaceful world.